RADIO
With the NFL Combine kicking off this week, that means it's officially time to start thinking about the 2024 NFL season. After the Kansas City Chiefs finished off their Super Bowl win against the San Francisco 49ers, teams didn't waste time turning the page to the next year, so neither will we.
Teams like the New York Jets, the Minnesota Vikings, the Houston Texans, and the Los Angeles Rams have all moved drastically since last season's preliminary power rankings. It's just further proof that the landscape of the NFL can change on a dime even during the long offseason.
So what do the NFL power rankings look like six months before the 2024 season even gets started? Here is our ranking of all 32 NFL teams.
Editor's Note: Our incredible team of writers won two writing awards and received 12 award nominations by the Fantasy Sports Writers Association. A big congrats to our very own Byron Lindeque (Golf) and Jordan McAbee (NASCAR) for both winning Writer Of The Year awards! Be sure to follow RotoBaller's analysis and advice all year long, and win more. Win More With RotoBaller!
New Orleans or Bust
1. San Francisco 49ers (2023 Record: 12-5)
Somehow the 49ers find themselves in the 2024 offseason $3 million over the salary cap with Brock Purdy only making $985,000 next year. That's what happens when three players (Trent Williams, Deebo Samuel, and Arik Armstead) have cap hits that take up 30% of your room. Still, the 49ers will find a way to restructure some guys and bring back essentially the same team for another Super Bowl run in 2024.
2. Kansas City Chiefs (11-6)
Fresh off a third Super Bowl win in five years, the Chiefs have three main priorities. First, try and sign Chris Jones to once again anchor the defensive line. Second, sign L’Jarius Sneed to be the headhunter the Chiefs desperately need in the secondary. Third, improve the receiving corps around Rashee Rice and an aging Travis Kelce. Oh, and they are counting on their owner whom they apparently hate to get all this done.
3. Baltimore Ravens (13-4)
There's nothing really to worry about with this team moving forward. They were a few boneheaded Zay Flowers plays from being right there at the end of the AFC Championship Game and now they get J.K. Dobbins and Keaton Mitchell back in 2024. Their primary concern in the offseason should be locking up defensive tackle Justin Madubuike to a long-term deal.
4. Detroit Lions (12-5)
*Never change*, Dan Campbell.
*Except for that time you went for two from the 7-yard line. Change that only.*
There’s just something about your head ball coach hitting the combine podium with a dip in. The football Gawds blessed the Detroit #Lions with Dan Campbell 😂 pic.twitter.com/KDVYavCAMq
— Eazy (@SpeakEZsports_) February 27, 2024
5. Dallas Cowboys (12-5)
If you are a fan of the Cowboys, which of these puts worse images in your head? The 48-32 HOME loss to the Packers in the playoffs, or this:
#Breaking: Cowboys’ Jerry Jones will be required to take DNA test in paternity case, judge rules https://t.co/8yHjrEVmoX
— Dallas Morning News (@dallasnews) February 29, 2024
6. Miami Dolphins (11-6)
Considering all of the defensive injuries the Dolphins suffered in the last third of the 2023 season, there is a case to be made that they should be higher on this list. Still, their record against playoff teams in 2023 was 1-5 and they have to prove that their high-octane offense can succeed against the best teams in the league.
7. Buffalo Bills (11-6)
As you may have heard, the Buffalo Bills have a salary-cap problem. Now that Josh Allen's hit balloons up to $47 million in 2024, they are the team most over the cap heading into the new season ($41 million over). That will all be worked out with some extensions and cap maneuvering, but unless they have a "Break the Curse Against the Chiefs" card up their sleeve, it will all be for naught.
8. Philadelphia Eagles (11-6)
Some good news for Philadelphia emerges after a brutal end to their once-promising season. Now if they can just devise a way to matriculate the ball down the field two yards at a time, they might really be onto something.
There is no support for the NFL banning the #Eagles infamous “tush push” says NFL Executive VP of Football Operations Troy Vincent.
Vincent also says that the NFL Competition Committee didn’t even discuss the tush push when it met at the Scouting Combine because everyone is on… pic.twitter.com/ErMiA3qfjj
— Philadelphia Eagles Central (@pheaglescentral) February 29, 2024
It Might be Our Turn Now
9. Cleveland Browns (11-6)
Imagine the 2023 Cleveland Browns team with a healthy and effective Deshaun Watson and a healthy Nick Chubb. That's what Cleveland is counting on for 2024, and they better hope it works. The Browns are on the hook for four more years and more than $130 million to Watson.
10. Houston Texans (10-7)
Here's a thought experiment to fill the offseason days. Imagine you redrafted the entire NFL, but all variables like age, ability, salary, and leadership remain the same. Where does C.J. Stroud go in that draft? I think there is a case he goes No. 1 overall in that scenario.
A historic rookie season for C.J Stroud ✍️ pic.twitter.com/TN8b1vJXB3
— NFL (@NFL) February 20, 2024
11. Los Angeles Rams (10-7)
The Rams were projected to be one of the three worst teams in the league in the 2023 preseason, but with an inspired defense and striking gold with Puka Nacua and Kyren Williams, they made it back to the playoffs for the third time in four years. They were a one-point loss on the road to Detroit away from playing in the Divisional Round and now have $42 million in cap room to add to a playoff roster.
12. Cincinnati Bengals (9-8)
The Bengals were on the brink of the playoffs without Joe Burrow for two-thirds of the season. Now, they have Tee Higgins back on the franchise tag (will he be happy about that?), Joe Burrow completely healthy, and more than $40 million in cap space to play with. Don't be surprised if you see the Bengals in the AFC Championship Game again.
13. Green Bay Packers (9-8)
Is there any way to bet on the Texans and Packers meeting in, like, the 2027 Super Bowl? Only the Cardinals have more draft picks than the Packers this year.
14. Jacksonville Jaguars (9-8)
Poor Jaguars fans (I'm sure there are a couple of them). They were thought to be ascending, and now the Texans have overtaken them as the hot team in the division. Even factoring in some improvement for Trevor Lawrence, do you look at their home schedule next year and see more than maybe two guaranteed wins?
Lock in with us! 🔒
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) February 29, 2024
15. Indianapolis Colts (9-8)
NFL fans were denied a full rookie season from the dynamic Anthony Richardson. If the Colts bring back Michael Pittman Jr. to pair with Richardson and re-sign safety Kenny Moore II with their $70 million in cap money, the AFC South could be a three-team juggernaut.
Just One Quarterback Away
16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-8)
Baker Mayfield had a revelatory season and he will likely be back for 2024, but the question will be can he repeat without the production of Mike Evans if the future Hall of Famer (and his 1,255 yards and 13 touchdowns from last year) leaves town? Tampa Bay is the betting favorite to retain his services, but if the Texans or Chiefs come calling?
17. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7)
Their three quarterbacks last season (Mitch Trubisky, Mason Rudolph, and Kenny Pickett) were 52nd, 53rd, and 57th, respectively, in completed air yards per attempt among all quarterbacks and the 2023 Steelers still somehow won 10 games. Mike Tomlin is some kind of wizard or something.
18. New York Jets (7-10)
Of course it's @TheSimpsonsNFL for the win again. Can't wait to see what they come up with next year when the Jets go 9-8 and miss the playoffs in the last week of the regular season.
Zach Wilson on the trade block https://t.co/WP78ZKO2v5 pic.twitter.com/L8Uysd1Bi5
— Simpsons NFL (@TheSimpsonsNFL) February 28, 2024
Change is in the Air
19. Seattle Seahawks (9-8)
If you are a Seahawks fan, are you happy with any of J.J. McCarthy, Bo Nix, or local legend Michael Penix Jr. at the 16th pick in the draft? I might wait until next season if you think Geno Smith has one more good year in him.
20. Chicago Bears (7-10)
What the Bears decide to do with the No. 1 overall pick in April plus what happens to Justin Fields remains the most interesting soap opera storyline of the 2024 offseason. I'm currently a fan of the conspiracy theory that states the Bears' GM convinced Justin Fields to unfollow the team on social media so that they can drive up the price of the first pick in the draft. Create a bidding war of sorts.
Who am I kidding, he is likely going to Atlanta.
21. Minnesota Vikings (7-10)
Don't worry, Vikings fans. If you can't get Kirk Cousins back, there's always...
The Vikings are currently the favorites to land Zach Wilson this offseason 💀 pic.twitter.com/CZpoxZDOrF
— Jake Knows Ball 🐻⬇️ (@DaBears_26) February 29, 2024
22. Los Angeles Chargers (5-12)
The Chargers are about $25 million over the cap for next season, so players like Austin Ekeler, Khalil Mack, and Mike Williams might be on their way out as cap casualties. I'm at least intrigued by the possibility of a Justin Herbert-Keenan Allen-Quentin Johnston core with Jim Harbaugh also making a statement by signing Saquon Barkley and drafting Blake Corum.
23. New Orleans Saints (9-8)
In the NFL Players Association report card that was recently released, the food in New Orleans got an "F-" from the players. This simply cannot happen in New Orleans. That's like saying the extracurricular activities got an "F-" in Miami. And Derek Carr is still here, so this team is contractually forbidden from being able to crack the top 20.
24. Las Vegas Raiders (8-9)
Well, yes. That's because his $44 million cap hit doesn't take effect until 2025. I dare you to say this a year from now, Tom.
"He's a Las Vegas Raider."@Raiders GM Tom Telesco on WR Davante Adams and how he isn't going anywhere.
📻 https://t.co/Xb5uYT1kDt #Raiders | #RaiderNation | #NFLCombine pic.twitter.com/17RViL7AGr
— SiriusXM NFL Radio (@SiriusXMNFL) February 28, 2024
Things Would Really Have to Break Our Way
25. Denver Broncos (8-9)
Is Russell Wilson's Denver-area home for sale or not? The Broncos put him in a bad spot, but now he says he "wants to be there." Huh? Either way, I can't see this team finishing above third in the division for a long time.
26. Atlanta Falcons (7-10)
Arthur Smith: Gone. Ancillary 2023 coaches: Gone. Jonnu Smith: Gone. Most of the pieces that prevented Desmond Ridder, Drake London, Bijan Robinson, and Kyle Pitts from running a modern offense are out of Atlanta. Add in defensive guru Raheem Morris as the team's new head coach and Zac Robinson (also from the Rams) as offensive coordinator (and Fields?), and the arrow is pointing up for Atlanta.
27. Tennessee Titans (6-11)
There are rumors DeAndre Hopkins may follow Mike Vrabel out of town. The two of them were close from their Houston days, and the move could save the Titans $16 against the cap when they already project to have the second-most flexibility in the league. But let me be clear. If Hopkins leaves, that leaves Chris Moore, Treylon Burks, and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine as the Titans' wide receivers. If I'm Will Levis, Hopkins is getting a cookie bouquet from me everyday until he comes back.
How Far in Advance Can You Book Cabo Resorts?
28. New York Giants (6-11)
"We're going to look at all positions. Especially quarterback and running back. We messed up on both of those recently and we are really trying to get out of the hole we dug." I may have added the last two sentences.
"We're Going To Look At All Positions"
Joe Schoen speaks on New York Giants NFL Draft plans pic.twitter.com/SwvUZxqWuD
— Marshall Green (@MarshallGreen_) February 27, 2024
29. Arizona Cardinals (4-13)
I don't care whether your rooting interest in the NFL is related to a team, fantasy, gambling, or Taylor Swift, we are all salivating at the possibility of pairing Kyler Murray with Marvin Harrison Jr. The Cardinals are hoping none of the three quarterback-needy teams ahead of them reach for the Ohio State product.
30. New England Patriots (4-13)
With the No. 3 draft pick, the Pats at least are in the solid position of just having to wait and see which of Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, and Jayden Daniels falls to them. This is probably going to get worse before it starts to get better. If you're a Patriots fan longing for the good old days, at least there is a good documentary available to watch.
31. Washington Commanders (4-13)
The last time the Commanders won a playoff game, George W. Bush was president and "Hostel" was the No. 1 movie in America. Come to think of it, "Hostel" is a pretty fitting analogy for what it's like to be a Commanders fan. You find yourself somewhere you really don't want to be in the first place and then you get tortured for hours on end.
32. Carolina Panthers (2-15)
God bless our own Robert Lorge for writing the Carolina Panthers Offseason Needs piece for RotoBaller. That's thankless work right there. They need everything, including prayers that Bryce Young is not a total bust like in his first year. At least the Panthers get the first pick and didn't raise ticket prices on their fans. Oh, wait.
Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App
Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!
